ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

What a week in Alexandria. Here are some of the highlights.

The Alexandria City Council on Wednesday approved its Fiscal Year 2022 $770.7 million budget on Wednesday, and it includes a 2 cent real estate tax reduction. It’s the first time that’s happened in 15 years, and the budget also fully funds Alexandria City Public Schools’ request and includes a 1% raise for city and state employees.

But perhaps the biggest news of the week came with City Councilman Mo Seifeldein’s proposal to eliminate School Resource Officer funding from the budget. The effort was supported along by Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Councilman Canek Aguirre and Councilman John Taylor Chapman, who voted along with the group after failing to save the program in a last-minute effort.

Crime stories dominated many headlines, and Police Chief Michael Brown spoke with us this week about his department’s efforts to reduce destructive elements throughout the city. More from that interview will be published next week.

In this week’s poll, we asked about the importance of political endorsements for local candidates. Out of 222 responses, 48% (107 votes) don’t consider endorsements while voting; 39% (86 votes) said endorsements influence their decision; and 14% (29 votes) feel that endorsements hold a lot of sway.

Election stories

• City Council candidates clash on critical local issues, Part 1
• City Council candidates clash on critical local issues, Part 2
• NEW: Alexandria School Board shakeup looms as few incumbents have filed to run for reelection
• Election: Northam endorses Wilson for reelection
• Here’s which City Council candidates signed the new ‘Alexandria Constituents’ Bill of Rights’ pledge

Important stories

• COVID-19 update: 40% of residents got first vaccine shot, 29% got second shot
• Old Town dominated the city in 2020 business grant funding
• NEW: Man sentenced 41 months for targeting Alfred Street Baptist Church, journalists and others in ‘swatting’ conspiracy
• Developer JBG Smith joins J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives to own and manage 2 million square feet of Potomac Yard
• ACPS could adjust grades in recognition of COVID challenges
• West End man with history of violent behavior taken into custody
• Appeal to save North Ridge home takes fight to City Council
• Girlfriend of murder suspect arrested for breaking into home and beating up witness

Top stories

1. Parking issues plague Potomac Yard, city looks to create residential parking district
2. Knife pulled on woman who chases would-be thieves in Old Town
3. D.C. man arrested after 130 mph chase leads to crash on Interstate 495
4. Police: Armed robberies occur minutes apart in Del Ray and Arlandria
5. Two injured in hit-and-run in Old Town, driver leaves car and flees on foot
6. Too noisy? City Council is considering revising Alexandria’s noise ordinance
7. Alexandria City Council to end School Resource Officer program at Alexandria City Public Schools
8. Alexandria man arrested for firing gun at 7-Eleven door near Braddock Road Metro station
9. Here’s the order that City Council candidates will appear on the ballot for the June 8 democratic primary
10. JUST IN: Power outages across Alexandria as strong winds hit the city
11. What’s next for GenOn and the rest of Old Town North?

Have a safe weekend!